Manual atomizer



T. J. HOLMES MANUAL ATOMIZER Nov. 4, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 6, 1949 Enf' l- WMM Jj ya.

NOV- 4, 1952 T. J. HOLMES 2,616,752

MANUAL ATOMIZER Filed July e, 1949 s sheets-smeet 2 Nov. 4, 1952 T. .1. HOLMES 2,616,762

MANUAL ATOMIZER Filed July 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANUAL ATOMIZER Thomas J. Holmes, Everett, Mass.

Application July 6, 1949, Serial No. 103,216

13 Claims.

This invention relates to manualwatomizers for liquids such as perfumes, toilet preparations, germicides and others. It aims to kprovide a simple, compact and easily manufactured device of the class stated and in which the chance for leakage is reduced to a minimum, by rendering the atomizer substantially leak-proof and airtight. While of general utility in the small portable or hand atomizer field the invention is especially pertinent to atomizers of the so-called vacuum type.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example bertain embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of an atomizer unit installed on a liquid container, in open position, for use;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view in elevation with the atomizer closed and sealed as for storage and carrying;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged sections as on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 shows the seal-closure members of Figs. 1 and 2 separately; and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate modifications.

As stated, a main object of my invention is to produce a perfume atomizer that is leak-proof and air-tight, particularly in the vacuum type wherein the spray is created by forcing a blast ofl air from a small bulb or pump over the top of the 'liquid channel creating a partial vaccum or low pressure vat this outlet while the liquid to be atomized is subject to atmosphere by means of a venting channel. l

Vacuum atomizers generally have three main passages lassociated with the atomizer head. These are an air blast passage from the manually deformable bulb or other source, a' liquid delivery passage and a vent passage communicating between the liquid reservoir and atmosphere. For many uses, especially as a perfume dispenser and toilet article it is preferable that the atomizer spray be delivered laterally of the head, with the center line of the spray substantially at right angles to the vertical axis of the device. Heretofore objectionable. leakage during transport of the filled device, by reason of the plurality of passages mentioned, has militated against such lateral spray delivery for a vacuum atomizer.

Prior efforts to avoid leakage Vgenerally have resorted to threaded parts, with Washers, springs, and inclined surfaces for metal engagement. In accordance with the present invention threaded parts, springs. flat washers or inclined surfaces are avoided. Closure of outlets, whether for liquid, for venting or for air blast is had otherwise than be the pressing of flat washers to these outlets. Hence there is no danger at any time of these outlets becoming clogged by material from the washers.` So far as I am aware no satisfactorily leak-proof lateral-spray atomizer of the vacuum type has heretofore been provided. In accordance with my invention `this is accomplished in the exemplary embodiments of the drawings by novel construction and arrangement wherein the liquid passage is central within a concentrically surrounding passage providing for atmospheric venting and both passages together also with the air blast passage are simultaneously scalable by a single means.

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6. the atomizer head or assembly unit is shown removably associated With a container l 0 for which it supplies a closure. The container may be of any type and material. That selected for illustration is va glass bottle as appropriate for perfumes and other liquids, having an externally threaded neck ll upon which the atomizer unit as a whole is mounted by means of a supporting screw cap or base l2. An annular washer l3 preferably is disposed between the lip of the container and the base l2.

The atomizer proper comprises an upright tubular body or head carried on the base I2 and including an upper external part or sleeve l5 with a longitudinally continuo-us central bore, and an axially aligned lower tubular part or mounting collar I6 extending through the 'base l2 and down into the container l0. These upper and lower head parts l5, I6 are tightly interi'ltted in mutual longitudinal extension. The lower part I6 has a lateral anchor flange Il received flatwise against the bottle-seated washer l3 referred to, the entire head being installed on the screw-cap base l2 and by the latter onto the container l0 in tight iitted sealed relation.

At an intermediate level the side wall of the upper or outer head part l5 is apertured to provide a laterally facing discharge orifice 20 preferably ared to afford the desired spread for the spray; see Fig. 2. v

Centrally within the atomizer head l5, I6 and spaced as at 2l from the inner wall of the bore thereof for a considerable distance below the discharge orice 20 is the needle-like liquid discharge tube 25 having a substantially ycapillary axial channel. The lower end of this liquid tube 25 communicates 'with and is fitted and sealed into the lower head part I6, herein by coaxial insertion in the central liquid passage lB thereof. The delivery end of this liquid tube 25 stands in horizontal line with the center of the vdi-.S- charge orifice 2D and with a diametrally opposite lateral air blast passage iii in a nipple 4i fixed in an aperture in the side wall of the head. The nipple l carries at the projecting outer end a exible bulb 13.2 for creating the operative air blast.

As best seen in Fig. 2 the circumferential spacing between the liquid tube and the inner wall of the head I5, i6 presents an elongated annular passage or chamber 2l extending down from the region of the discharge orifice 2e. n the open or use status of Fig. l this chamber 2i forms part of a vent passage for communication between atmosphere and the interior of the container. In the inactive or storing status the same chamber 2l denes a seat for a depressible closing and sealing element or pin to be further described.

The atmospheric vent further comprises a vertical and slightly inclined channel 22 in the lower body part IS, leading from the bottom oi the central bore of the latter and longitudinally through the wall thereof and through the flange il to the interior of the container Iii. It will be particularly noted that the upper end of this container-entering vent channel 22, see also Fig. 4, is contained within the circumference of the chamber 2l of the head.

For cooperation with the sealing element Sil the upper head part |15 has a concentric bore enlargement 23 of substantial vertical extent, herein from an upper level adjacent the discharge orice 2G down to the upper end of the lower head part I6. Within this bore enlargement 23 is installed a tubular packing sleeve and retainer element 2li of a resilient composition such as neoprene or other rubberous material. The diameter of the axial opening through this retainer sleeve 2t in the free condition is somewhat less than that of the chamber 2l, so that in the normal or non-compressed status the inner wall of this resilient retainer projects laterally into said chamber 2 l. This aords a yieldable but firm gripping engagement with the sealing pin Si) when inserted as in Fig. 1.

At the lower end of the head, within the container I0, the head part I6 is integrally or otherwise extended to a position adjacent the bottom of the container. In the example of Figs. 1 and 2 such extension comprises a glass tube 28 received in a connective bushing 2S fitted on the lower end of the body part i6.

The sealing element already referred to comprises a rod or pin designated generally at 3%. It includes a knurled finger piece 3i, an intermediate portion 32 which may be solid and a lower tubular sheathing portion or skirt 33. rlhe latter is longitudinally recessed inward from the lower end to provide a concentric sheathing chamber 34 adapted to receive and pass downwardly around a major upper portion of the liquid tube 25, in the closed and sealing position of Fig. 2. The sheathing recess 34 of the closure pin 3G desirably is proportioned to aord clearance over the top of the liquid tube 25 whereby any remaining drop of liquid at the delivery end of the tube may drain back to the container by the vent 22. The outer diameter of the pin skirt portion 33 and the wall thicknessV guiding and retention of the pin 3G in sealing relation both as to the liquid passage and the atmospheric vent passage. Simultaneously the upper portion of the pin skirt 33 extends vertically across and in sealing relation to the air blast passage fili. rlhus in the closed position nothing can reversely enter the bulb 42.

ln the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 the unitary sealing means 36 is permanently installed in the atomizer head with capacity for sliding movement between the open and the closed positions of Figs. 1 and 2 at the will of the user. For thus retaining and guiding the closure pin the upper head part l5 is extended as at it and formed with an axial bore corresponding in diameter to that for the resilient retainer sleeve 2li already described, at the lower portion of the head. A second resilient neoprene or other retainer sleeve 24 is centrally disposed in said bore of the head extension I5 where it is seated on an internal shoulder |5l. t is held against upward movement by a sleeve bushing 52 ntted into the upper end of the head extension l5 and itself centrally apertured for guided sliding movement of the unitary sealing element or pin Eil. lThe resilient sleeve 24 is radially dimensione-d for similar gripping action with the pin skirt as previously described in connection with the lower sleeve 25;. Thus the pin is releasably held in the open or raised position of Fig. 1 during periods of use and pending deliberate closure by the user.

At a level calculated with reference to the desired vertical movement or stroke for the closure pin 3@ the latter is provided with stop means preventing unintentional withdrawal of the pin.

As shown such means is at or near the juncture of the intermediate and the skirt portions 32, 33.

are herein shown at 35, at opposite sides of the pin, see particularly Fig. 6. rlhese may be formed by attening or indenting the pin as at 36 thereby forcing the metal outwardly at the nubs or shoulders 35, after installation of the pin upwardly through the top bushing |52.

rFhe nubs 35 are proportioned and located to provide upper limit stops for the opening move-v ment of the pin 36, by abutment with the end wall of the bushing E52. They are radially dimensioned to move freely in the bore of the top extension i5 land to p-ass vertically through the resilient retainer sleeve 2li in opening and closing movement of the pin 3E). ln the down, closed position of Fig. 2 these stop members 35 abut a projection the bore of the head part l5 herein furnished by the inner end of the bulb nipple 4 I. By reason of the resiliency of the sleeve 2d the stop nubs 35 are enabled to pass through it without disturbing the rm gripping capacity thereof with respect to the lower chambered sheathing portionl 33 of the pin. Thus the relatively light-weightunitary closure element 39 is releasably held in the open elevated position of Fig. l during use of the atomizer, while in the closed position the same lowered chambered portion 33 of the pin has sealing reception and retention in and by the lower resilient sealing and holding sleeve 24. Hence the single movable means 30 in conjunction with the associated parts provides for secure leak-proof sealing closure and for ready opening for use of the atomizer, and the open status is automatically maintained at the will of the operator, without necessary bodily removal of any part.

There the pin 3@ is provided with one or, more radial protuberances or nubs of which two yThe top bushing |152 which provides' an upper limiting stop for. the ptn `30 and in which it is slidably vguided'has below the top wall a bore enlargement |53 accommodating the larger di- :mieter of the stop' nulos V35, V`315. The latter have 5i a relatively Adat curvature, noting particularly Fig. '6, and the nulos .generally may Project but a 'few thousandths of Aan inch.. Hence they readily pass through the upper resilient retainer sleeve 24"'. In vthe locked or closed positionpf :l0 Fig. 2fsaid upper retainer sleeve resiliently fengages the intermediate portion of the 'pin and acts in unison with the lower resilient sleeve 2l to hold 4the pin in the locked position, which action is aided hy the nubs 35 having passed below I15 the upper sleeve "2"4". Holding of the pin in the open position may `further he aided by provision of a slight downward flare for thesmaller upper portion of the here of the top bushing |52, al; the Y underface of the top wall of this bushing, as lat 20 |154, Figg2. 'lhis permits the nulasto he fric-1'* tionally engaged within the here, in the `Fig.. .l position, thereby aiding the resilient sleeve "24' 'inl holding the pin 30 up 'in the open or A'operating position. 2d From the foregoing description lwith reference". 5 to the drawingsv it will he apparent that in the embodiment of Fig-s. l `to J6 the atomiaer means associated with thev container comprises a head Y with 'a central vertical cylindric charnloer 1| 30 within which the discharge tube 25 is centrally locatedv with its outletvlaterally opposite the latraldischarge oriice 20: also that the air-blast passage .40 is in line with the outlet of the liquid tube 25 and with the horizontal center line ofg discharge orifice 210', and is'spaoed from the axis j of the 'liquid tube 25 by a distance equal merely lg to the "radius of 'the head chamber Further the Aannular portion of the chamber V2l between the liquid 25 andthe inner wall of the head fill members l5, ki6 together with the vent passage''; 22 at the base of the chamber 2| provides around thecntral liquid passage in the tube 25 an immediately surrounding air venting passage contained wholly within the radius of the chamber 45 2| yand within a radiusfro'm the axis of the dis. charge' tube' A25 not-'greater than the radial distance betweensaid axis and the adiacent terminus of the air-blast passage lll. ln association with and largely by reason of `this novel arrange-Q- 5o ment of concentric liquid, venting and air-blast 1,;- I passages the unitary closure pin element 305s? adapted for commonly closing off and sealingall'ithree of these `passages in a leak-proof fashion. y '-55 liigs; "l, 8 and 9 illustrate modiiications of container-mounted manual atomizer means similalrly-ernbodying' the inventive principle of the device of Figs. 1 to 6. In these views generally corresponding parts are given similarreference-fw' numerals as 'in the earlier gures with the pre- 'ie'df numbers '1, 2 and 3 respectively. vIn these modied'forms theA `similar .concept vis adapted n especially to relatively `small perfume or other liquid "containers in the nature of vials whichlr5 may. have .a capacity of as little as one or a few drains of perfume. It will be unders od that Q the drawings herewith including Fig. l to 6 are on. the order of at least twice scale of the average-commercial size. Referring to Fig. 7, the device as a `whole -comprisesia iviall .i Ill of glass or other material with threaded neck Alll receiving the lthreaded lbase ||2 integral with the outer or upperl sleeve `or-lliI 6 head part |15, withk interposed vial sealing f washer i3. The lower .tubular head part ||6 is Y. fitted and secured at its upper end within the ff main head part |5 and includes a reduced lower tubular portion i8 centrally disposed within the vial neck lll.

The liquid tube |25 in this instance is formed entirely of asection of small substantially capillary metai tubing. preferably stainless steel, such as used for hypodermic needles, generally similar in this respect to the tube 25 of Figs. 1 to 6. 1n the Fig. '7 example, also in those of Figs. 8 and l, 9, this needle-like liquid tube |25 is extendedintegrally to a level adjacent the bottom of 'the container H0. lt; is held in position centrally within the head as by crimping of the lower head part I|9 as at |19". The chamber |2-`| provided by the central bore of the head parts' H5,

H6 again affords, in the open or use position of an atomizer, access for atmosphere to thein`j teriorV of the container in association with a vent` channel |22 ,communicating through the part HE with the container interior at the base oi the chamber 12| and taking off therefrom `within-thc chamber radius. The spray discharge orice again is laterally directed from its center line at the level of the discharge terminus of the tube and of the air blast passage |40. 'The v latter is provided in a nipple Hl disposed radlally of a globular mounting connection '|43 for the flexible bulb |42. The mount |43 has a further radial passage |44 disposed at an angle to the dis- I charge portion |40 of the air-blast passageand receiving a tubular anchor bushing |45. By rea. son of this angular air passage arrangement the bulb |42 is loctaed nearer the hase of the 4container HU, lowering the center of gravity of the device as a whole and enabling it to stand erect.

The leak-proof sealing closure means comprises a unitary element generally similar to the pin of the preceding figures, adapted to provide-'- common vsealing closure for the liquid, the vent and the air-blast passages. In this instance the closure element or pin indicated as a whole at |30 has its lower tubular skirt portion |33received in the closed position, shown dotted in Fig.

7 within a single resilient sealing and retaining sleeve |24 of neoprene or other rubberous material. Y 'In this example the sealing pin |30 has' the lower tubular hollow skirt portion v|33 of larger diameter than the intermediate and linger portions |32, 13|. Correspondingly the upper fend. ofthe head member Vllii has the central'bore formed of 'two diameters, a larger one receiving the pin skirt portion 13| .in the elevated full line position of Fig. 7. -The uppel` smaller-diametered 'bore portion slidahly receives the reducedv portion |32 of the pin. 'The 4junction between the two bore sizes within the head H5 is upwardls7 tapered as at Illia and the skirt .element |33 of the pin is formed with a correspondingly or slightly less tapered shoulder as at |31 wherebyA understood to be generally similar as inthe ex- In these latter examples the ample of Fig. 7. side wall portion '210,310 vrespectively for the container or vial are formed integrally with the maintubular head elements 2|5 and 3|5 respectively,

these being of any `suitable metal as for example stainless steel o'rv other alloy. These outer metal lcontainer portions are provided with glass or other inverted liners D, 360 held in place by a threaded bottom closure or removable plug 26|, 36|, preferably with washers above and below the liner elements. The liquid eduction tubes 225 and 325 of Figs. 8 and 9 are similarly arranged and held as in Fig. 6. Also the air-blast passages 240 and 34D, ball mounting connections 243- and 343 and bulbs 242, 342 are of the angularly channelled and low-hung arrangement as in Fig. 6.

In the example of Fig. 8 the portion of the head 2 l5 below the discharge orice 220 contains within the bore thereof a single neoprene or other resilient tubular sleeve sealing and retaining element 224, in this instance having a central passage of two different diameters including a smaller lower portion and a relatively larger upper portion. These cooperate respectively with the lower end 233 of the hollow tubular skirt portion 233 of the unitary sealing pin 233 and with a more or less continuous annular stop enlargement or bead 235 at an intermediate level along the pin skirt 233. In the full line open position of Fig. 8 the stop protuberance 235 engages and frictionally grips a flared -portion of the bore of the head 2 I5, thereby holding the closure pin in the open raised position. In the dotted line closed position the bottom skirt portion 238 enters into sealing relation within the lower portion of the neoprene sleeve 224 while the stop element235 seats on the shoulder formed at the juncture of the larger and smaller diameters of said resilient retainer 224. v

The example of Fig. 9 is generally similar to that of Fig. 8 and illustrates another form of, unitary sealing means. In this instance a short metal sleeve 310 is inset centrally into the lower head member 3|. This sleeve 310 has an internal diameter suiciently large to provide 'an annular passage 3'H surrounding .the-liquid tube 325, foradmission of atmospheric-pressure. The outer diameter vof this central `sleeve 370 is proportioned to provide anannular space 31-2 be.- tween it and the inner wall of the neoprene or other rubberous sealing sleeve 324.

The pin-like closure element 330 of Fig. 9 having a finger piece 33! at the upper end is formed with a hollow tubular skirt portion 333 with somewhat enlarged bore as compared with that of the previous nguressuiflcient to receive within it at the upper end a neoprene or other rubberous sealing sleeve 38D adapted to t over and additionally seal the outlet yof the liquid tube 325. The lower end of the skirt portion 333 is proportioned to enter downwardly into the annular space 312 within the resilient retainer 324, in sealing relation to it, and encompassing the metal sleeve 310, the latter serving as guiding and positioning means and furtherfacilitating the sealing action. Downward closing movement of the pin 330 is halted by an annular shoulder 338 on the skirt portion 333 adapted to'abut and stop against the upper end of the resilient retainer sleeve 324, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 9. The closure shoulder 338 is upwardly tapered as at 339 for frictional gripping engagement in a down-flared portion of the bore at the upper end of the head 3I5, similarly as in the earlier embodiments. q

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereof illustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims:

1. An-atomizer head comprising an external sleeve having a lateral discharge orifice anda radially opposite airblast passage, a mounting base concentric with and connected in downward extension of the sleeve, a liquid discharge tube held coaxially within and projecting below said base for immersion in liquid and extending centrally within the sleeve to the level of the discharge orice, the upper portion of the discharge tube standing in radially spaced relation to the sleeve wall to define therewith an annular chamber, an atmospheric vent opening Within the circumference of and extending from said chamber downwardly through said base, a coaxial sealing closure element longitudinally movable between on and oliU positions including a tubular skirt receivable in said annular chamber and having an upper portion guidable in the sleeve above the discharge orifice, and elongate resilient tubular means xed concentrically within the sleeve in circumferential sealing and retaining relation to the skirt of the closure element, the latter when longitudinally moved to off position commonly closing olf the discharge'tube, the atmospheric vent and the airblast passage.

2. In an atomizer for perfume and other liquids, a tubular head with means to support it on a container, a lateral spray discharge orice on the head above the support means, a lateral airblast passage on the head opposite to the discharge oriiice, a liquid discharge tube coaxially fixed in the head in radially spaced relation to the Wall of the bore thereof so as to provide an elongated concentric annular chamber between the tube and the head wall, said tube extended downwardly for liquid immersion and having at the upper end an outlet centrally between the airblast passage and the discharge orice of the head, atmospheric venting means communicating between the bottom of said annular chamber and the exterior of the liquid tube below the support means, and a central pin-like unitary closure slidably mounted centrally in the upper portion of the head and having a lower hollow tubular skirt -insertable into the annular chamber and retractible therefrom to a position above the discharge orice.

3. An atomizer according vto claim'2 wherein the tubular head has formed-integrally with it a cylindrical bottom opening container shell, the latter having a threaded bottom closure plug.

4. An atomizer according to claim 2 wherein the liquid discharge tube is formed of a continuous length of hypodermic-needle-like metaltubing.. v

5. An atomizer according to claim 2 wherein the pin-like closure includes an upwardly tapered` 7. An atomizer according toclaim 6 whereinv the upper bore portion of the' head is adapted for gripping engagement with the stop projection of the closure to hold it in retracted position.

8. An atomizer according to'claim 2 whereinV the skirt of the closure contains a resilient tubular sleeve adapted to encompass the upper end of the liquid tube when the closure is inserted to closed position.

9. An atomizer according to claim 2 wherein an intermediate metal guide tube is xed coaxially in the head around and in laterally spaced relation to the liquid tube and within the annular chamber, together with resilient sleeve means surrounding and in radially spaced relation to the guide tube, the lower skirt portion of the pin-like closure having internal guided relation to the guide tube and being receivable between the latter and the resilient sleeve means.

10. In an atomizer unit for use with a liquid container, an elongate vertical tubular head having a basal attaching portion, the tubular wall of the head forming a cylindric chamber having at an intermediate level a lateral spray orice and a diametrally opposite air admission passage, ltubular conduit means for liquid coaxially held in the chamber in spaced relation to the tubular wall thereof and having an upper outlet opening at the level of the air admission passage, said tubular conduit means depending below the head, said chamber also providing a longitudinal air passage along and around the liquid conduit means between the latter and the tubular head wall and said chamber having an air channel communicating between said longitudinal air passage and the region external to said conduit means below the head, and an axially slidable sealing closure element concentrically mounted in the head and having a tubular skirt shaped and dimensioned for slidably guided reception between the tubular head wall and the liquid conduit means and longitudinally slidably movable between on and oit positions opening and closing the spray orice, the air admission passage and the longitudinal air passage, and longitudinal tubular sealing and retaining means for. the closure element disposed circumferentially between it and the head wall.

11. In an atomizer, a central upright liquid conduit tube having a lateral discharge opening at the upper end portion, a tubular enclosing head having a vertical bore dimensioned to provide a cylindric chamber around the liquid tube,

an air admission passage in the head wall at the level of the discharge opening of the liquid conand off positions with respect to the sprayqidischarge orifice and said air passages, and tubiilar elastomeric sealing means in the head and having circumferential sealing relation to the valve y in the on position thereof.

12. A lateral-discharge atomizer unit for assembly with a liquid container, comprising an elongate upright sleeve-like head having a main tubular wall for closed communicative positioning on such container, a laterally directed discharge orifice intermediately disposed on said tubular head Wall, an air inlet passage on said wall in angularly spaced relation to the discharge and a lower portion depending below the head, said upper portion of the liquid tube having an opening toward the discharge orifice and being held in radially spaced relation to the tubular head wall to provide within the latter an axially extensive cylindric slidably guiding and valving chamber providing also for longitudinal passage of air externally around the liquid tube, an elongate tubular sleeve-form valve longitudinally slidably mounted and guided coaxially within said cylindric chamber for vertical reciprocating movement between on and off positions and having a manipulating finger piece projecting above the head. and elongate tubular sleeve-form elastomeric packing and retaining means disposed concentrically within the tubular head Wall and circumferentially with respect to the valve and in sealing and retaining relations thereto whereby the valve and said means cooperate in the 01T position of the valve to seal the discharge orice, the air inlet and the longitudinal air passage around the liquid tube and in the on position to open the same, under sliding adjustment of the valve in the axial direction.

13. In an atomizer for perfume and other liquids, a tubular head with means to support it on a container, a lateral spray discharge orice on the head above the support means, a lateral air admission passage on the head opposite to the discharge orice, a liquid discharge tube coaxially fixed in the head in radially spaced relation to the wall of the bore thereof so as to provide an elongated concentric annular chamber between the tube and the head wall, said tube extended downwardly for liquid immersion and having at the-upper end an outlet centrally between the air admission passage and the discharge orifice of the head, an air channel means communicating between the bottom of said annular chamber and the exterior of the liquid tube below the support means, a central pin-like unitary closure slidably mounted centrally in the head and having a lower hollow tubular skirt insertable into the annular chamber and retractible therefrom to a position above the discharge oriiice, adapted to close and to open the discharge orifice and the air passage and channel and having an upextending finger piece for so longitudinally moving it between closing and opening positions, and neoprene sleeve means concentrically disposed in the annular chamber in position axially slidably to receive and sealingly retain said pin-like closure, said sleeve means including a portion above the discharge orifice in gripping relation to the closure.

THOMAS J. HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,875,821 Nazarev Sept. 6, 1932 1,900,087 Aronson Mar. 7, 1933 1,979,455 Custer et al. 1 Nov. 6, 1934 2,034,660 Lohse Mar. 17, 1936 2,131,455 Schutte Sept. 27, 1938 2,238,315 Ford, Jr., et al Apr. 15, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 152,843 Germany July 1, 1904 470,766 France June 24, 1914 630,260 France Oct. 13, 1927 

